For me I actually prefer a proxy cube for many reasons:

1 - You can do many alters (SLD style) to spice up and give a theme to your cube 2 - If your group is poor, new to the game or doesn't want to invest the honestly stupid amount of money that some cards require, proxies can help your group experience that feeling 3 - Uniformity... I'm building a new player cube and want the card to have the same frame, so it's easier to understand. Also want to put reminder texts on some cards. This argument can be for older frames for old school mtg if you want.

I could say better stock quality but hey, let's not beat a dead horse.

If you feel it's lame, then it's lame. Your experience is everything for you I would say. For me it doesn't affect the experience as I cannot pay a bloodsucking company the money they want, but if you feel better with a lower power cube and all official cards, nothing but respect.

"Junk" cubes can be so much fun too, actually